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As revealed by Record Sportthis morning, however, he won’t be available for Rangers’ Europa League campaign that begins on June 29.

Alves is unlikely to be available for the Ibrox side until mid-July. He is in Portugal boss Fernando Santos’ squad for a friendly against Cyprus on Saturday and will then head to Russia for the Confederations Cup between June 17 and July 2.

His signing would represent a major boost to Caixinha, who has long admired his countryman.